Cascade in Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic - Downloadable PDF

Cascade Shawl in Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic — Pattern Summary

About This Design

The Cascade shawl is an original knitting pattern designed by Harriet Elliot and published by Tahki Stacy Charles Inc. It is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated Easy, making it an excellent project for beginner and confident beginner knitters who want to create a beautiful, wearable accessory without complex shaping techniques. The finished shawl is a generous, one-size wrap with a graceful two-tone striped surface and a flowing fringe border that adds movement and elegance.

What Is Being Made

The Cascade pattern produces a single large triangular shawl worked in one size. The finished piece measures an impressive 83 inches (211 cm) wide at its widest point and 17 inches (43 cm) in length, both measurements excluding the fringe. The generous dimensions make it suitable as a full wrap, a shoulder shawl, or a decorative accessory for a wide range of occasions.

Construction and Techniques

The shawl is cleverly constructed in two separate sections that are joined during finishing, creating the overall triangular silhouette. Understanding the structure of each section helps knitters follow the logic of the shaping:

• Section A is worked first, beginning with a cast-on of just 3 stitches in color B. Knitters work a simple increase row on every right-side row, adding one stitch at the end of each RS row using a Make 1 (M1) increase. This process is repeated 69 times, gradually building the triangular shape from a narrow point outward. The result is a gently sloping, wedge-shaped panel.
• Section B is worked by picking up and knitting 107 stitches along the shaped (increase) edge of Section A, with the right side facing and using color A. From this point, knitters work decrease rows on every right-side row using a k2tog (knit two together) decrease, reducing the stitch count by one each RS row. This continues for 102 repeats plus one additional decrease row until only 3 stitches remain, which are then bound off knitwise.

This two-section approach creates a seamless, unified triangular fabric without requiring any seaming. The technique of picking up stitches along an existing edge is a fundamental knitting skill that this pattern introduces in a straightforward and accessible way.

Stitches Used

The Cascade shawl relies on a small, approachable set of stitches and techniques, making it ideal for knitters building their skills:

• Garter Stitch — the primary fabric stitch, created by knitting every row on both right-side and wrong-side rows. Garter stitch produces a squishy, ridged texture that lies flat without curling, making it a practical and attractive choice for shawls.
• Garter Stripes (Section A) — worked by alternating 10 rows with color B and 2 rows with color A, creating a bold, rhythmic stripe pattern across the first section.
• Garter Stripes (Section B) — worked by alternating 6 rows with color A and 2 rows with color B, creating a complementary but distinct stripe ratio in the second section that adds visual depth to the finished shawl.
• Slip Stitch Edge — the first stitch of every row is slipped purlwise, with yarn held in back on RS rows and in front on WS rows. This creates a neat, chained selvedge edge that is particularly important for the clean pickup of Section B and for the overall polished appearance of the shawl's edges.
• Make 1 (M1) — used in Section A to increase one stitch on each RS row, building the triangular shape gradually.
• K2tog (Knit Two Together) — used in Section B to decrease one stitch on each RS row, tapering the section back to a point.

Finishing: Fringe

One of the most distinctive features of the Cascade shawl is its luxurious fringe border